TRAPHAGEN 12-Fret Slope Dread--Torrefied Carpathian/Snakewood

[GaultierRedon14]

Dake offers two peghead styles. I chose the style below, which is a very traditional style perfect for a 12 fret slope D.

The front of the headstock will have the book matched Snakewood.

The back of the headstock will have the Brazilian Rosewood.

I decided not to ask for Snakewood on the back of the headstock, just because there is plenty of that already! Plus, the binding and bridge will be Brazilian, so it sort of references that, and will be a nice contrast to the Snakewood tuner buttons. By the way, Dake has a LOT of Brazilian Rosewood...

[GaultierRedon14]

A glimpse of what is to come. French Polished Shellac finish on top, back and sides.
And that Rosette--the soft, warm hues in the burl wood--along with the sparkle of the abalone? Just like heaven!

[GaultierRedon14]

Some very nice grain pattern back there, finally coming to life!

[GaultierRedon14]

Dake has been quite accommodating and communicative during the build process. Without me even asking, he sent me two pictures of heel cap options with the pieces already cut and placed on the heel of the neck, with naphtha or something wiped on them. I chose the one below--dark Brazilian Rosewood that matches the body binding. The other option was --you guessed it--Snakewood.

So the body is pretty much finished and he has moved on to carving the neck and cutting out the fretboard.

[GaultierRedon14]

I searched for a long time to find a truly fine specimen for the fretboard--on and off for several years--but I eventually found "The One" in January. Even though it had a crack at one end, Dake was able to repair it. Anyways, the actual fretboard only includes a tiny bit of this repaired spot at the bottom of the fretboard. That's just how it goes with Snakewood...
Anyways, I had this board in my own hands for a while--it's quarter sawn and the grain pattern has an almost 3-D look to it--about as good as it gets. By far the most beautiful one I've ever come across. Along with the EVO gold frets--should look very sharp!

[GaultierRedon14]

Dake has fitted the body to the neck to do the final fitting between the two pieces and then he will take them apart to do the finishes--French Polished Shellac on the body, Gunstock Oil on the neck and headstock assembly.

[GaultierRedon14]

Dake let me know that he completed the French Polishing on the guitar body, and today he put on the final coats of oil on the neck/headstock. The bridge should be on by next weekend or so. Guitar should be completely finished in just a few weeks...sorry, no new pictures!

[Jamiejoon]

That is looking awesome. Very classy, and extremely beautiful wood.

[gitarro]

This is a very experienced luthier who spends most of his time building classical guitars for most of his long career which from all accounts of luthiers who build both steel string and classical , is considerably harder to build a good sounding classical than it us to build a good sound acoustic. I fully expect that the results for this guitar will be well worth waiting for for the OP - and for the rest of us vicariously!

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by gitarro

This is a very experienced luthier who spends most of his time building classical guitars for most of his long career which from all accounts of luthiers who build both steel string and classical , is considerably harder to build a good sounding classical than it us to build a good sound acoustic. I fully expect that the results for this guitar will be well worth waiting for for the OP - and for the rest of us vicariously!

Very SWEET instrument coming! That fretboard is spectacular, and the whole thing is very enticing!

Should be well worth the wait

Cheers

Paul

[Zissou Intern]

It's beautiful and nuanced, and I appreciate the subtleties.

[GaultierRedon14]

I'm stunned at how beautiful and cohesive all the design elements and woods are together. A bit speechless at the moment....

[GaultierRedon14]

Dake selected a piece of Brazilian for the bridge that is a perfect match to the rosette and fretboard.

[GaultierRedon14]

Once again, this is dyed burl wood with an abalone center ring.

[GaultierRedon14]

The Snakewood tuner buttons are polished to a finish that is like glass.
I think the engraving design on the plates really works with the vintage-y vibe of a slope D.

Once I receive the guitar, I'll take some more pictures and upload high resolution files to an external site with a link. NGD coming soon...